Worse Things Happen at Sea!: A Tale of Pirates, Poison, and Monsters

Gr 4–8—In this follow-up to Here Be Monsters! (S & S, 2006), a mysterious doctor arrives in the town of Ratbridge with Black Jollop, a miraculous substance that appears to cure almost any ailment. Meanwhile, aboard the Nautical Laundry, the ragtag crew of rats and pirates loses a major court case due to an unfortunate underwear incident, racking up a small fortune in fines. Rather serendipitously, the "good doctor" is eager to pay the ship's crew handsomely to find a source for the ingredients in his curative goop. Young Arthur, who sneaks aboard the ship; his grandfather; and their friends discover that Black Jollop is, in fact, a poison that is slowly beginning to infect Ratbridge's citizens with a dangerous cheese obsession. Will Arthur, his friend Fish the boxtroll, and the crew of the Nautical Laundry find an antidote for the cheese lust that is now tearing their village apart? This quirky, fast-paced adventure on the high seas delivers plenty of dry humor and delightfully odd characters. Snow's many detailed illustrations will help connect the dots for struggling readers, aiding them in making sense of the more esoteric maritime vocabulary and allowing them to soar through the book's lengthy page count. Ratbridge newspaper clippings enhance the world-building. Readers who enjoy Lemony Snicket or Roald Dahl will relish this charming and strange story.—Elly Schook, Jamieson Elementary School, Chicago